I found this on a local messageboard. The author's screen name is Leenaree. While I don't fully agree, I think that her message is pretty spot on: Mormons should collectively remember the angry mobs that hunted them down and killed members, simply for practicing their religion. Gays and Lesbians have had their private acts of love and affection criminalized, and have regularly been assaulted and killed, sometimes based only on the suspicion of being gay. These assaults rarely receive media attention, and are sometimes not even prosecuted. Just as not all non-Mormons in Missouri were angry, destructive mob, not all opponents to Prop 8 are either. Certainly the angry mobs get the headlines, but there are many more quietly working to overturn Prop. 8 through legal means and to quietly and respectfully change hearts and minds. Equality Utah and the Courage Campaign are 2 such organizations. Anyone with $10 can set up a web site domain. It doesn’t mean that he/she represents a credible organization, or that that organization is representative of all supporters of same-sex marriage. Rage is a product of fear. Prop. 8 sought to take away a right from a group of people, and successfully did so. Christians and other proponents of Prop 8 had nothing to fear. Allowing same sex civil marriage never threatened religious marriage. Same sex civil marriage supporters see that something precious, a hard fought civil right has been taken away, when it posed a threat to no one, and they are fearful that more hard-fought civil rights will be taken away, and that they will be forced to lead closeted lives once again. Do they have the right to protest? Absolutely. Is the violence acceptable? In my eyes, no, it’s counterproductive, because of the focus it draws away from substantive arguments. By the same token, the hate-filled individuals and groups who pistol whip gays and leave them to die on snow fences, who vandalize their homes, who force them into secrecy, fearing for their jobs and lives are even more unacceptable, because there is a history of murder.
But in fairness, just as all of the people in Missouri were not Mormon-hating mobsters. Not every Mormon (I wasn't given the opportunity to vote on Prop 8) would have supported it. I can't believe that this is even an issue. I can't find it in my heart to protest love when there is so much abuse, neglect, poverty, and hate. I would rather have my children put in a loving gay home, than in an abusive hate-filled Christian home, should something happen to me. I don't understand what is being accomplished by the hatred, boycotting, and violence. This is America and we have the right to vote as we choose. But don't assume that because I am Mormon I am for Prop 8. Also don't assume because I am Mormon that you can make black jokes or tell my kids that you want to assassinate the man I campaigned for and voted for. I am an American and I have the right to vote for whatever I feel is right or important. You can come and peacefully protest my beliefs or try to educate me in your differing beliefs. You just better be certain you know what my beliefs are first. Having to balance my faith and my politics is sometimes a tricky thing. In the end I have to answer to two people, myself and God. On THESE issues I haven't let myself down and can only hope that God feels that way too.
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